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What is a pangolin? |
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 An arboreal pangolin climbs a tree.
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The pangolin
is a long-tailed, sticky-tongued tropical Old World (Asia and Africa) mammal. Most species
feed at night, sleep during the day, and roll into an impenetrable ball when threatened.
The pangolin's body is covered with large, flat, imbricated horny scales; it somewhat resembles the New World armadillo in terms of its feeding habits and its employment of a curled up, hedgehog-like defensive posture. It has a long sticky tongue which it uses to gather termites and ants. The pangolin is also called scaly anteater, any of the armored placental mammals of the order Pholidota. Pangolin, from the Malayan meaning "rolling over," refers to this animal's habit of curling into a ball when threatened. About eight species of pangolins, usually considered to be of the genus Manis, family Manidae, are found in tropical Asia. DescriptionPangolins have a long tail, short powerful
limbs, and a conical head. They are native to the regions of Southeast Asia and are found
in parts of Africa. This reptile-like animal with large overlapping scales has often been
spotted in the Kafue National Park, in dry woodland or scrub terrain. Self-defensePangolins are well equipped for self defense.
The pangolin usually rolls up into a ball when threatened. Pangolins can lash out with
their razor sharp scales. Pangolins have scent glands similar to those of the skunk which
they can use to spray enemies. More information on pangolins
www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/eutheria/pholidota.html
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